Russia 03 (Oct 15 - Mar 23)

[winston]

Putin Hopes “There Will Be No Need To Nuke” The Islamic State

By Tyler Durden

Source: Zero Hedge

http://www.thetradingreport.com/2015/12 ... mic-state/

[winston]

Obama’s high-stakes chess match with Putin… and what it means for you

by Nick Giambruno

Source: International Man

http://thecrux.com/how-putin-and-his-al ... dominance/

[winston]

Tensions rising: Putin moves to strengthen nuclear forces

Shoigu says 95% of nuclear forces are at permanent readiness
Half of Russian nuclear arsenal is new, defense minister says

Source: Bloomberg

http://thecrux.com/tensions-rising-puti ... ar-forces/

[winston]

Russia is suffering from low oil prices

Russia’s ruble declined to its lowest level for the year in the waning days of 2015, as oil prices flounder in the mid-$30s.

The ruble has been volatile since crude prices began declining in 2014, and it has lost one fifth of its value this year.

The Russian central bank stopped the decline of the ruble a year ago by hiking interest rates temporarily to 17 percent.

The bank dropped interest rates once the ruble stabilized, but with the currency’s value down to about the same levels as the previous lows, speculation is rising about how the Russian central bank will respond.

But having blown through a big chunk of foreign exchange, the central bank is reluctant to continue to spend resources propping up the ruble.

In November, Russia’s GDP shrank at a 4 percent annualized rate, a worsening situation than the 3.7 percent rate in October.

“If the oil price remains at the current level for half a year or a year, then we’ll see the economic decline extended,” former Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin told Interfax news service on Monday.

“We can’t say that the peak of problems has passed.”

Source: Oil Price Intelligence

[winston]

Oil Crisis Leaves Russia With a Mess – and You With an Opportunity

by DR. KENT MOORS

Direxion Daily Russia Bear 3X ETF (NYSEArca:RUSS).

As the name implies, this exchange-traded fund rises three times faster than the Russian market falls. It is up 14% though noon today alone, 26.3% for the week, and 65% for the month.

This ETF remains the best way for a retail investor to profit from a weakening Russian economy.

Source: Oil & Energy Investor

http://oilandenergyinvestor.com/2016/01 ... 3#deeplink

[winston]

Russian Economy Holding On For Dear Life

Source: Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2 ... 889328590f

[winston]

10 Maps That Explain Russia's Strategy

BY George Friedman

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnmauldin ... 652cb56c82

[winston]

To Buy or Not to Buy? Russia Rally Has Investors, Analysts Split

By Elena Popina

Russia’s economy is forecast to contract 1.5 percent this year

The equity market rebound in Russia may continue for the next four months, but both the economic and political situations remain negative

Russia relies on energy sales for about half its budget revenue

Source: Bloomberg

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/buy-not-b ... 01143.html

[winston]

Veteran U.S. investor Rogers looks to add more Russia to portfolio

BY KATYA GOLUBKOVA

Source: Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russi ... the%20Bell

[winston]

Russia may replace Eurobonds with domestic debt

Source: The Star

http://www.thestar.com.my/business/busi ... stic-debt/